KUALA LUMPUR – Congregational obligatory prayers at mosques and surau in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan can be carried out according to premises capacity with physical distancing of 1.5m, effective today.
Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail said the new ruling was made after obtaining the consent of the Agong.
He said Friday prayers at mosques and surau, where they are allowed to be held, including areas with tents, can be carried out at full capacity with physical distancing of 1.5m, while lectures are also allowed with the same conditions.
Meanwhile, he said, during the month of Ramadan, tarawih prayers are allowed according to the capacity of the premises with physical distancing, and it should be limited to 20 rakaat, with the recitation of short surahs or verses.
“Tazkirah is not allowed during the tarawih. Quran classes can be performed with participants filling half or 50% of the capacity of the main prayer hall, with physical distancing of 1.5m.
“Qiamullail (night prayers) can be performed 30 minutes before the time of imsak. Payment of zakat fitrah manually or via direct payment to an amil (person authorised to collect zakat) is allowed, in addition to online payment or other methods prescribed by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council,” he said.
Apart from that, Ajib said the breaking of fast or iftar banquets are not allowed, but kariah committees are encouraged to distribute breaking of fast packets to frontliners and the needy.
He said moreh (banquet at the mosque or surau during the fasting month) are not allowed, but, kariah committees can provide food packets to members of the congregation to take home after tarawih.
Ajib said the latest rulings are subject to the guidelines and standard operating procedures set by the National Security Council and Health Ministry. – Bernama, March 18, 2021
